Packaging system for coiled goods

ABSTRACT

In a packaging system for coiled goods, a length of flexible material is wound into a coil. A hole is extended diametrically through the coil and a rod is extended through the hole. Fasteners are secured to the opposite end of the rod to secure the flexible material in the coiled configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to packaging system for coiledgoods such as plastic lawn edging and similar products, and moreparticularly to a system which retains such products in the coiledconfiguration while facilitating transportation thereof by the consumer.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Plastic lawn edging and similar products are typically wound intoa coiled configuration to facilitate transportation from themanufacturer to the retailer, pre-sale storage, display, andtransportation by the purchaser from the retailer to the location atwhich the product will be utilized. Heretofore such products have beenretained in the coiled configuration by lengths of strapping which aretightly secured around the coil at multiple locations around itscircumference. The strapping technique functions well insofar assecuring the product in the coiled configuration is concerned, but doesnot provide a handle to facilitate transportation of the coiled productfrom the retailer to the point of utilization.

[0003] As is well known, plastic lawn edging is almost universallymarketed in the above-described coiled configuration. Plastic lawnedging typically comprises a lower spear-tipped edge adapted to securethe lawn edging into engagement with the earth, and an upper hollowcylindrical edge which is aesthetically pleasing and which provides aclear line of demarcation between the lawn and an adjacent garden.Adjacent lengths of plastic lawn edging are secured together by plastictubing sections which are received in the hollow, cylindrical upper edgeof the lawn edging. Heretofore problems have been encountered becausethere has not been a reliable way to secure the connectors to the coiledplastic lawn edging prior to its utilization by the consumer.

[0004] The present invention comprises a packaging system for coiledgoods which overcomes the foregoing and other problems which have longsince been associated with the prior art. In accordance with the broaderaspects of the invention, a length of product is wound into a coil. Ahole is drilled diametrically through the multiple layers comprising thecoiled product. A rod is extended through the hole from one side of thecoiled product to the another, and fasteners are secured to both ends ofthe rod, thereby retaining the product in the coiled configuration.Lengths of strapping may be used to further secure the product in thecoiled configuration, if desired.

[0005] In the case of plastic lawn edging and similar products, aconnector for securing adjacent lengths of product end to end is locatedat the center of the coil and the rod which secures the product in thecoiled configuration extends through the connector. This provides thedual benefit of affording a convenient handle for use in transportationof the product by the consumer and a convenient means of securing theconnector to the coiled product and thereby assuring that it will not belost or stolen. dr

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] A more complete understanding of the invention may be had byreference to the following Detailed Description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a prior art system forsecuring products in a coiled configuration;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a top view of the product securing system illustrated inFIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a packaging system for coiledgoods comprising the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a top view of the system of FIG. 3 in which certaincomponent parts have been broken away more clearly to illustrate certainfeatures of the invention; and

[0011]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4 inwhich certain parts have been broken away more clearly to illustratecertain features of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a prior art system 10for securing elongate products in a coiled or spiral configuration.FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a length of plastic lawn edging 12 which isretained in a coiled or spiral configuration by four lengths ofstrapping material 14 thereby forming an assembly 16. The lengths ofstrapping material 14 are situated at more or less equally spacedintervals around the circumference of the coiled length of plastic lawnedging 12. The lengths of strapping material 14 are tightly wound aroundthe coiled length of plastic lawn edging 12 and are effective inretaining the coiled length of plastic lawn edging 12 in the spiralconfiguration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0013] However, the lengths of strapping material 14 do not afford aconvenient method for the consumer to carry the coiled length of plasticlawn edging 12 from the retailer to the location at which it will beused. Another difficulty which will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art comprises the fact that the lengths of strapping material 14 donot afford a convenient means of securing the connectors which are usedto connect adjacent ends of plastic lawn edging to the assembly 16 insuch a way as to prevent loss or theft of the connectors.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a packaging system forcoiled goods 20 comprising the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. In accordance with the invention, a length of flexiblematerial 22 to be secured in a coiled or spiral configuration is firstwound into the desired configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.Next, a hole is drilled diametrically through the spiral configurationof the flexible material 22. A rod 24 is extended through the drilledhole and fasteners 26 are secured to the opposite ends of the rod 24 toretain the flexible material 22 in the coiled or spiral configuration.Depending upon the nature of the flexible material 22 and the size ofthe coil thereof to be secured, lengths of strapping material 28 may bepositioned at spaced locations relative to the rod 24 to further securethe flexible material in the coiled or spiral configuration.

[0015] Referring particularly to FIG. 5, the present inventionparticularly adapted for use in securing coils of plastic lawn edging. Alength of plastic lawn edging 30 comprises a web of plastic material 32which is doubled back at one end to provide a spear-tipped configuration34 that is useful in securing the plastic lawn edging in engagement withthe earth. The opposite end the webbing 32 is coiled and secured to forma hollow cylinder. The cylindrical configuration is both aestheticallypleasing and serves as a clear line of demarcation between a lawn and anadjacent garden area.

[0016] A hole extending diametrically through the coil comprising thelawn edging 30 comprises a series of apertures 38 formed through the web32 comprising each layer of the lawn edging 30 which makes up the spiralconfiguration thereof. A rod 40 extends through of the apertures 38 andthrough the center 42 of the coil comprising the lawn edging 30.Fasteners 44 are secured to the opposite ends of the rod 40 to securethe plastic lawn edging 30 into the coiled configuration. A handle 46 ispositioned on the rod 40 within the opening 42. The handle 46 and therod 40 facilitate transportation of the coil comprising the lawn edging30 from a retailer to the location at which the lawn edging 30 willultimately be used.

[0017] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the rod 40may have an enlarged portion at one thereof in which event only onefastener 44 is needed. The rod 40 may be formed from metal or plastic.Likewise, the fastener(s) may be formed from metal or plastic. Thefastener(s) may be threaded or clipped into engagement with the rod 40.In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the rod 40is formed from plastic and the fasteners are formed from metal. Thefasteners are preferably of the type which are pressed into engagementwith the rod and are threadedly disengaged therefrom.

[0018] The hollow cylindrical configuration 36 at one end of the web 32of the plastic lawn edging 30 has a predetermined inside diameter. Thehandle 46 has a predetermined outside diameter which is closely matchedto the inside diameter of the hollow cylindrical configuration 36. Priorto placing the lawn edging 30 in use, one or both of the fasteners 44 isremoved and the rod 40 is withdrawn from the apertures 38, therebyreleasing the handle 46. If two or more lengths of lawn edging 30 areutilized in a particular project, the handle 46 is inserted into theadjacent ends of the hollow cylindrical portions 36 of the two lengthsof lawn edging, and thereafter serves as a connector which joins the twolengths of lawn edging 30 one to the other.

[0019] It will therefore be understood that in accordance with thepresent invention there is provided a packaging system. for coiled goodswhich provides a convenient handle for use by the consumer intransporting the coiled goods from the retailer to the location ofultimate utilization. In the case of plastic lawn edging, the inventionfurther comprises a cylindrical member which serves as a convenienthandle while the lawn edging remains in the coiled configuration and asa connector for adjacent lengths of lawn edging when the lawn edging isplaced in use.

[0020] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoingDetailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments disclosed but is capable of numerousrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elementswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. A packaging system for coiled goods comprising: a length of flexiblematerial wound into a coil; a hole extending diametrically through thehole in the coil; a rod extending through the hole in the coil; andmeans mounted at the opposite ends of the rod for retaining the flexiblematerial in the coiled configuration.
 2. The packaging system for coiledgoods according to claim 1 wherein the retaining means comprises atleast one fastener secured to one end of the rod.
 3. The packagingsystem for coiled goods according to claim 2 wherein the rod and thefastener are formed from plastic.
 4. The packaging system for coiledgoods according to claim 2 wherein the rod and fastener are formed frommetal.
 5. The packaging system for coiled goods according to claim 2wherein the rod is formed from plastic and the fastener is formed frommetal.
 6. The packaging system for coiled goods according to claim 2wherein the rod is formed from metal and the fastener is formed fromplastic.
 7. The packaging system for coiled goods according to claim 1wherein the coil of flexible material is further characterized by anopen central portion, and further including a handle mounted on the rodand located within the open central portion of the coil.
 8. Thepackaging system for coiled goods according to claim 7 wherein thelength of flexible material is further characterized by an edgecomprising a hollow cylindrical configuration having a predeterminedinside diameter and wherein the handle comprises a cylindrical memberhaving a predetermined outside diameter closely matched to the insidediameter of the hollow cylindrical edge of the flexible material wherebythe handle serves as a connector for adjacent lengths of flexiblematerial when in use.
 9. The packaging system for coiled goods accordingto claim 1 wherein the length of flexible material comprises a length ofplastic lawn edging of the type having an edge rolled into a hollowcylindrical configuration characterized by a predetermined diameter;wherein the rod is formed from plastic; wherein the retaining meanscomprises metal fasteners secured to the opposite end of the rod andfurther including a cylindrical handle mounted on the rod andcharacterized by a predetermined outside diameter matched to the insidediameter of the hollow cylindrical configuration of the plastic lawnedging so that the handle serves as a connector for adjacent lengths oflawn edging when in use.
 10. The packaging system for coiled goodsaccording to claim 9 wherein the fasteners are pressed into engagementwith the rod and threaded disengaged therefrom.
 11. A packaging systemfor coiled goods comprising: a length of plastic lawn edging of the typecomprising a plastic web having a spear-shaped configuration at one edgeand a hollow cylindrical configuration having a predetermined diameterat the other edge; said length of plastic lawn edging being wound into acoil; a hole extending diametrically through the hole in the coil ofplastic lawn edging; a rod extending through the hole in the coil; andmeans mounted at the opposite ends of the rod for retaining the plasticlawn edging in the coil configuration.
 12. The packaging system forcoiled goods according to claim 11 wherein the retaining means comprisesat least one fastener secured to one end of the rod.
 13. The packagingsystem for coiled goods according to claim 12 wherein the rod and thefastener are formed from plastic.
 14. The packaging system for coiledgoods according to claim 12 wherein the rod and fastener are formed frommetal.
 15. The packaging system for coiled goods according to claim 12wherein the rod is formed from plastic and the fastener is formed frommetal.
 16. The packaging system for coiled goods according to claim 12wherein the rod is formed from metal and the fastener is formed fromplastic.
 17. The packaging system for coiled goods according to claim 1wherein the coil of plastic lawn edging is further characterized by anopen central portion, and further including a handle mounted on the rodand located within the open central portion of the coil.
 18. Thepackaging system for coiled goods according to claim 17 wherein thehandle has a cylindrical configuration and is characterized by apredetermined outside diameter which is closely matched to the insidediameter of the hollow cylindrical configuration whereby the handleserves as a connector for adjacent lengths of plastic lawn edging whenin use.
 19. A method of retaining flexible materials in a coiledconfiguration comprising the steps of: providing a length of flexiblematerial; winding the length of flexible material into a coiledconfiguration; forming a hole diametrically through the coil of flexiblematerial thus formed; providing a rod; extending the rod through thehole in the coil of flexible material; providing a pair of fasteners;and securing the fasteners on the opposite ends of the rod and therebyretaining the length of flexible material in the coiled configuration.20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the step of providing a rodis carried out by providing a rod formed from plastic.
 21. The methodaccording to claim 19 wherein the step of providing a rod is carried outby providing a rod formed from metal.
 22. The method according to claim19 wherein the step of providing fasteners is carried out by providingfasteners formed from plastic.
 23. The method according to claim 19wherein the step of providing fasteners is carried out by providingfasteners formed from metal.
 24. The method according to claim 19wherein the step of providing a rod is carried out by providing a rodformed from plastic and wherein the step of providing fasteners iscarried out by providing fasteners formed from metal.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 24 wherein the step of providing fasteners is furthercharacterized by providing fasteners of the type adapted to be pressedinto engagement with the rod threadingly disengaged therefrom.
 26. Themethod according to claim 19 wherein the step of winding the flexiblematerial into a coil is characterized by forming a coil of the typehaving an open center portion.
 27. The method according to claim 26further characterized by the steps of: providing a handle; positioningthe handle within the open center portion of the coil; and extending therod through the handle.
 28. The method according to claim 27 wherein thestep of providing the handle is further characterized by providing thehandle having a cylindrical configuration and a predetermined outsidediameter.
 29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the step ofproviding a length of flexible material is further characterized byproviding a length of flexible material having an edge rolled into ahollow cylindrical configuration characterized by an inside diameterwhich is closely matched to the outside diameter of the handle so thatthe handle serves as a connector for adjacent lengths of the flexiblematerial when in use.